Nigel Farage has announced his return to frontline politics as the leader of Reform UK, pledging a "political revolt" against the Conservative Party. Farage, known for his prominent role in the Brexit movement, stated that his party could match the Conservatives in the polls within a week. This announcement was made during an interview with GB News, where he criticized the Conservative record on immigration and reliance on foreign labor.
Farage will stand for Parliament in Clacton-on-Sea, marking his eighth attempt to enter the House of Commons. His return is seen as a significant challenge for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is under pressure to reduce net migration, currently at 600,000 per year.
Sunak has responded by unveiling a new policy to cap the number of visas issued annually, a long-demanded measure by Tory hardliners. He argues that only the Conservative Party is capable of robustly addressing immigration issues. Labour’s shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, dismissed the move as ineffective, accusing the Tories of rehashing old policies without making meaningful changes.
The political landscape is highly contentious, with major polls suggesting a potential landslide victory for Labour, indicating a historic shift in voter sentiment. Farage's entry and the immigration debate are expected to be pivotal in the upcoming election.